FRITZ!Box 3272 – Service - Knowledge Base

Cannot access shared files or printers over active VPN connection

Although IP communication with network devices in the remote FRITZ!Box network over a VPN connection is possible, for example via ping, you cannot access shared files or printers in the remote FRITZ!Box network.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the issue persists.

1 Using an IP address to access shared files and printers

You can only access shared files and printers over a VPN connection if you address the devices in the remote FRITZ!Box network using their IP addresses:

2 Restarting the FRITZ!Box

You may be temporarily unable to correctly establish the VPN connection due to an error with the FRITZ!Box or your internet connection. Therefore, restart the FRITZ!Box so that it reinitializes the firewall and re-establishes the internet connection:

Windows 8

Select "Category" from the drop-down list "View by:" on the top right ().

Click "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing Center".

Click "Change adapter settings".

Click on the arrow next to the button (Change view) in the menu bar and select "Details".

Right-click the connection that lists the (wireless or LAN) network adapter that connects the computer to the FRITZ!Box under "Device Name".

Click "Properties".

Enable the "Client for Microsoft Networks" and the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".

Click "OK" to save the settings.

Windows 7

In Windows, click "Start" and then "Control Panel".

Select "Category" from the drop-down list "View by:" on the top right ().

Click "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing Center".

Click "Change adapter settings".

Click on the arrow next to the "Change view" button in the menu bar and select "Details".

Right-click the connection that lists the (wireless or LAN) network adapter that connects the computer to the FRITZ!Box under "Device Name".

Click "Properties".

Enable the "Client for Microsoft Networks" and the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".

Click "OK" to save the settings.

4 Configuring the Windows firewall

By default, the Windows firewall does not permit you to access shared files and printers over a VPN connection between two FRITZ!Boxes. In order to allow access, configure the following settings on your Windows computer:

Open the Windows Control Panel:

Windows 10: Enter sys in the search box in the Windows taskbar and then select "Control Panel".

Select "Category" from the drop-down list "View by:" on the top right ().

Click "System and Security" and then "Windows Firewall".

Select "Advanced Settings".

The window "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" opens.

In the window "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security", click on "Inbound Rules".

Double-click the entry "File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In)" for the profile "Private".

Click on the "Scope" tab.

Click the "Add..." button in the "Remote IP address" section.

Enter the IP network (subnet) of the remote FRITZ!Box (for example 192.168.10.0) in the "This IP address or subnet" field.

Click "OK" and then "OK" again to save the settings.

5 Configuring the firewall

Configure the firewall on the computer so that it allows communication using the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol. Refer to the manufacturer of the firewall for information on how to set it up, for example consult the manual.